Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Products: Certification

lord cope of berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK approved bodies will only be able to provide third party conformity assessment, where required, for products placed on the UK market;and whether equivalent EU notified bodies will be able to provide such assessment for products placed on both the UK and EU markets via CE marking.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.After exit day, the Government is setting up a new UK regulatory regime. We recognise the valuable contribution UK Notified Bodies make to the economy, which is why notified bodies operating under the new regulatory regime will automatically become UK approved bodies. UK approved bodies will only be able to provide conformity assessment for the UK market and for countries with which we have signed a relevant mutual recognition agreement. We meet regularly with the sector to discuss the impact of Brexit and how they can prepare.To help ensure the flow of goods into the UK, CE marked goods can be placed on the UK market for a time-limited period after exit day if we leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement. The results of conformity assessment carried out by EU notified bodies will be valid in the UK during this time-limited period. This will help UK manufacturers who sell to both the EU and UK markets.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.After exit day, the Government is setting up a new UK regulatory regime. We recognise the valuable contribution UK Notified Bodies make to the economy, which is why notified bodies operating under the new regulatory regime will automatically become UK approved bodies. UK approved bodies will only be able to provide conformity assessment for the UK market and for countries with which we have signed a relevant mutual recognition agreement. We meet regularly with the sector to discuss the impact of Brexit and how they can prepare.To help ensure the flow of goods into the UK, CE marked goods can be placed on the UK market for a time-limited period after exit day if we leave the EU without a withdrawal agreement. The results of conformity assessment carried out by EU notified bodies will be valid in the UK during this time-limited period. This will help UK manufacturers who sell to both the EU and UK markets.

Certification Quality Marks

lord cope of berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, will be the duration of the time-limited arrangement for the acceptance in the UK of CE marking and hence third party EU notified body conformity assessment.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.The duration of the time-limited period during which we will continue to accept CE marking and EU conformity assessment has not yet been set. The Government has committed to engaging with industry before making a decision on this.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.The duration of the time-limited period during which we will continue to accept CE marking and EU conformity assessment has not yet been set. The Government has committed to engaging with industry before making a decision on this.

Products: Certification

lord cope of berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) in the event of a no-deal Brexit, manufacturers, authorised representatives and importers based in the UKwill be responsible for the conformity to standards of products placed on the UK market where required, and (2) authorised representatives and importers based in an European Economic Area state will be responsible for the conformity to standards of products placed on the EU or UK markets.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, authorised representatives based in the EEA appointed and mandated before Exit may continue to be authorised representatives for BEIS consumer product safety and metrology purposes, as long as they remain so appointed and mandated by the manufacturer. Any authorised representatives appointed and mandated after Exit must be established in the UK.An importer will be the person established in the UK who places a product from outside of the UK on the UK market.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, authorised representatives based in the EEA appointed and mandated before Exit may continue to be authorised representatives for BEIS consumer product safety and metrology purposes, as long as they remain so appointed and mandated by the manufacturer. Any authorised representatives appointed and mandated after Exit must be established in the UK.An importer will be the person established in the UK who places a product from outside of the UK on the UK market.

Products: Certification

lord cope of berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government when, and where, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, public access to the list of UK approved bodies for conformity assessment, and particulars of standards harmonised to EU directives, will be made available.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.In the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, on exit all ‘harmonised standards’ that gave a presumption of conformity to EU requirements will be cited as ‘designated standards’ and will give rise to a presumption of conformity to the relevant requirements in the UK body of retained EU law, as amended. Details of all ‘designated’ standards will be provided on the gov.uk website.  A register of UK approved bodies and the conformity assessment activities for which they have been approved will be made available via the gov.uk website.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.In the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, on exit all ‘harmonised standards’ that gave a presumption of conformity to EU requirements will be cited as ‘designated standards’ and will give rise to a presumption of conformity to the relevant requirements in the UK body of retained EU law, as amended. Details of all ‘designated’ standards will be provided on the gov.uk website.  A register of UK approved bodies and the conformity assessment activities for which they have been approved will be made available via the gov.uk website.

Manufacturing Industries

lord mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index falling to a 7-year low of 47.4; and what assessment they have made of the statement by Capital Economics that the sector is “on track for recession”.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs), are a useful and timely barometer of economic activity but our assessment is that there is a trade-off between speed of publication and data quality. In addition, while the PMIs are mainly focused on changes in objective measures such as sales, evidence suggests they are still affected by business sentiment.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs), are a useful and timely barometer of economic activity but our assessment is that there is a trade-off between speed of publication and data quality. In addition, while the PMIs are mainly focused on changes in objective measures such as sales, evidence suggests they are still affected by business sentiment.

Carbon Emissions

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce further incentives for carbon-neutral lifestyles.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.Achieving clean growth has to be a shared endeavour between Government, local authorities, business, civil society and the British people. The Government has various campaigns and sources of support available to encourage people make changes in their lifestyle.For example, the simple energy advice service provides advice on the best ways to make your home more energy efficient, and discounts on the purchase of low emission vehicles through the Plug-in Grant. There is also the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, under which households can receive cash payments for installing an eligible renewable heating technology, and the Smart Energy Guarantee, where households receive payment for generating their own electricity.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.Achieving clean growth has to be a shared endeavour between Government, local authorities, business, civil society and the British people. The Government has various campaigns and sources of support available to encourage people make changes in their lifestyle.For example, the simple energy advice service provides advice on the best ways to make your home more energy efficient, and discounts on the purchase of low emission vehicles through the Plug-in Grant. There is also the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, under which households can receive cash payments for installing an eligible renewable heating technology, and the Smart Energy Guarantee, where households receive payment for generating their own electricity.

UK Trade with EU

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of EU businesses that divert supply chains away from the UK.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Government has not undertaken work to assess the impact should EU businesses decide to move supply chains away from the EU.The Government is seeking a comprehensive, ambitious future partnership with the European Union including a best in class Free Trade Agreement. The UK and the EU have a long standing and close trading relationship, with our businesses operating across borders to service clients and customers in the UK and the EU. The new FTA will seek to create new benchmark for trade liberalization and economic co-operation. It will aim to establish both zero tariffs and effective customs arrangements for goods, negate any need for EU businesses to change suppliers, and enable UK companies to continue to participate in pan-European supply chains.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Government has not undertaken work to assess the impact should EU businesses decide to move supply chains away from the EU.The Government is seeking a comprehensive, ambitious future partnership with the European Union including a best in class Free Trade Agreement. The UK and the EU have a long standing and close trading relationship, with our businesses operating across borders to service clients and customers in the UK and the EU. The new FTA will seek to create new benchmark for trade liberalization and economic co-operation. It will aim to establish both zero tariffs and effective customs arrangements for goods, negate any need for EU businesses to change suppliers, and enable UK companies to continue to participate in pan-European supply chains.

Energy: Meters

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made towards the roll-out of smart meters.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.There were 14.9 million smart and advanced meters operating in Great Britain at the end of June 2019. The Government publishes quarterly reports on the number of smart electricity and gas meters installed in Great Britain as part of its Smart Meters statistics collection.The Government is committed to every home and small business being offered smart meters by the end of 2020.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.There were 14.9 million smart and advanced meters operating in Great Britain at the end of June 2019. The Government publishes quarterly reports on the number of smart electricity and gas meters installed in Great Britain as part of its Smart Meters statistics collection.The Government is committed to every home and small business being offered smart meters by the end of 2020.

Energy: Imports

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK’s current dependency on energy supplied by interconnectors.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.The latest figures on electricity supplied by interconnectors are available in the 2019 ‘Energy Trends: Electricity’, published by BEIS. In Q1 2019, net imports of electricity via interconnectors were 6.0 TWh for the UK. This is equivalent to 6.4% of total demand over the period. In Great Britain, as part of the Capacity Market process, National Grid Electricity System Operator assesses how much capacity will be needed in the years ahead factoring in the risks of particular technologies not delivering. This annual process includes an assessment of how interconnectors should be derated to reflect the likely reliability of electricity flow during times of stress. We then secure all the capacity needed through the Capacity Market, ensuring we meet our reliability standard.In Northern Ireland, the Single Electricity Market operates as a single, shared wholesale electricity market between Ireland and Northern Ireland, with electricity flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland treated as internal flows. The Single Electricity Market’s capacity remuneration mechanism is working well to ensure security of supply of electricity in Northern Ireland.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.The latest figures on electricity supplied by interconnectors are available in the 2019 ‘Energy Trends: Electricity’, published by BEIS. In Q1 2019, net imports of electricity via interconnectors were 6.0 TWh for the UK. This is equivalent to 6.4% of total demand over the period. In Great Britain, as part of the Capacity Market process, National Grid Electricity System Operator assesses how much capacity will be needed in the years ahead factoring in the risks of particular technologies not delivering. This annual process includes an assessment of how interconnectors should be derated to reflect the likely reliability of electricity flow during times of stress. We then secure all the capacity needed through the Capacity Market, ensuring we meet our reliability standard.In Northern Ireland, the Single Electricity Market operates as a single, shared wholesale electricity market between Ireland and Northern Ireland, with electricity flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland treated as internal flows. The Single Electricity Market’s capacity remuneration mechanism is working well to ensure security of supply of electricity in Northern Ireland.

North Sea: Oil Rigs

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of leaving de-commissioned oil rigs in the North Sea.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Department requires that all applications to leave part or all of an installation or pipeline in place at the time of decommissioning are supported by a detailed environmental impact assessment. The assessment must comply with international obligations, is reviewed by Departmental staff and relevant stakeholders, including environmental bodies and NGOs, and must be accepted by the Department before it approves the proposed operations. Details of projects under consideration can be found on our web page titled “Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines” on the gov.uk website.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Department requires that all applications to leave part or all of an installation or pipeline in place at the time of decommissioning are supported by a detailed environmental impact assessment. The assessment must comply with international obligations, is reviewed by Departmental staff and relevant stakeholders, including environmental bodies and NGOs, and must be accepted by the Department before it approves the proposed operations. Details of projects under consideration can be found on our web page titled “Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines” on the gov.uk website.

Climate Change

lord bird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations in the report by the World Future Council Unlocking the Trillions to Finance the 1.5°c Limit, published on 7 November 2017, concerning the role of central banks buying fossil fuel stranded assets on the condition that the money is invested in the renewable energy sector.

lord duncan of springbank: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Government’s Green Finance Strategy sets out the Government’s approach to accelerating green finance. As set out in the Strategy, the Government welcomes the work of the Central Banks’ and Supervisors’ Network for Greening the Financial System, of which the Bank of England is a founding member.

lord duncan of springbank: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.The Government’s Green Finance Strategy sets out the Government’s approach to accelerating green finance. As set out in the Strategy, the Government welcomes the work of the Central Banks’ and Supervisors’ Network for Greening the Financial System, of which the Bank of England is a founding member.

Energy: Meters

baroness jones of moulsecoomb: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that every household that wishes to sign up for a Smart Export Guarantee from an energy company will be able to obtain a suitable smart meter from the day they start any such arrangement; and what consequences would result from being unable to obtain such a smart meter.

lord duncan of springbank: Consumers who would like a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) export tariff can contact their energy supplier to request that a smart meter is installed. Consumers who want a smart meter sooner than their current supplier can provide one could switch to a supplier who may be able to meet their needs. There were 14.9 million smart and advanced meters operating in Great Britain at the end of June 2019 and the Government is committed to every home and small business being offered smart meters by the end of 2020. In addition, the Government has introduced the New and Replacement Obligation (NRO) in energy suppliers’ licences which requires them to take all reasonable steps to install a smart meter where a meter is fitted for the first time, including in new build properties, or when an existing meter needs to be replaced.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Private Rented Housing: Older People

the marquess of lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manytenants over the age of 60 currently live in private rental accommodation; whether this proportion of older people in private rental accommodation is increasing, and if so, how rapidly; and what plans they have, if any, to take action to increase security for older tenants, including repealing section 21 of the Housing Act to prevent landlords from being able to evict tenants at short notice without giving a reason.

viscount younger of leckie: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The latest English Housing Survey for 2017-18 estimates that there are 379,000 households where the Household Reference Person is 65 years and older, the age range for which data is collated by the annual English Housing Survey. The proportion of people aged 65 or over in the private rented sector has remained broadly stable at 8-9 per cent since 2014/15.We know that security of tenure is a concern for many in the private rented sector, including older renters. That is why the Government announced in April that it proposes to create new rules around ending a tenancy by reviewing. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. These proposals are currently subject to consultation until 12 October and accompanied by a package of court reforms to make the system faster and simpler. The Government’s proposed measures will provide greater certainty for tenants and make the housing market fit for the 21st century.

viscount younger of leckie: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The latest English Housing Survey for 2017-18 estimates that there are 379,000 households where the Household Reference Person is 65 years and older, the age range for which data is collated by the annual English Housing Survey. The proportion of people aged 65 or over in the private rented sector has remained broadly stable at 8-9 per cent since 2014/15.We know that security of tenure is a concern for many in the private rented sector, including older renters. That is why the Government announced in April that it proposes to create new rules around ending a tenancy by reviewing. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. These proposals are currently subject to consultation until 12 October and accompanied by a package of court reforms to make the system faster and simpler. The Government’s proposed measures will provide greater certainty for tenants and make the housing market fit for the 21st century.

Social Services: Finance

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have tochange the distribution ofadult social care funding.

viscount younger of leckie: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Spending Round settlement for local government responds to the pressures councils are facing by providing access to the largest increase in Core Spending Power since 2015. This includes an additional £1 billion of grant funding for adults and children’s social care, on top of the continuation of existing social care grants. Decisions about the distribution of funding for local government in 2020-21 will be announced in due course.

viscount younger of leckie: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Spending Round settlement for local government responds to the pressures councils are facing by providing access to the largest increase in Core Spending Power since 2015. This includes an additional £1 billion of grant funding for adults and children’s social care, on top of the continuation of existing social care grants. Decisions about the distribution of funding for local government in 2020-21 will be announced in due course.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pension Credit

lord foulkes of cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Buscombe on 22 July (HL16979),whetherthey will provide details of the funding for charities that work with older people to support the take-up of Pension Credit in each of the three years specified in the original question.

baroness stedman-scott: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Government works with a wide range of stakeholders including charitable organisations to promote the take-up of Pension Credit. However, the DWP does not provide specific funding to such organisations for Pension Credit take-up related activities. Support is available through a variety of information resources including the Pension Credit toolkit, which is an on-line tool for organisations to use in order to encourage people to claim Pension Credit.

baroness stedman-scott: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Government works with a wide range of stakeholders including charitable organisations to promote the take-up of Pension Credit. However, the DWP does not provide specific funding to such organisations for Pension Credit take-up related activities. Support is available through a variety of information resources including the Pension Credit toolkit, which is an on-line tool for organisations to use in order to encourage people to claim Pension Credit.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Environment Protection

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to remain closely aligned with the EU regulatory framework on (1) environmental protection, and (2) food safety standards.

lord gardiner of kimble: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The EU Withdrawal Act 2018 will ensure all existing EU environmental law continues to operate in UK law. We will then have the opportunity, over time and with parliamentary scrutiny, to ensure the legislative framework delivers our aim to be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we inherited it. We have no intention of weakening our current environmental protections as we leave the EU. We will deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.  The UK has world leading standards of food safety and quality, backed by a rigorous legislative framework. We will maintain these high standards once the UK leaves the EU. When we leave the EU, we will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of exit. Leaving the EU does not change the Government’s commitment to ensuring that our food remains safe and what it says it is.

lord gardiner of kimble: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The EU Withdrawal Act 2018 will ensure all existing EU environmental law continues to operate in UK law. We will then have the opportunity, over time and with parliamentary scrutiny, to ensure the legislative framework delivers our aim to be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we inherited it. We have no intention of weakening our current environmental protections as we leave the EU. We will deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.  The UK has world leading standards of food safety and quality, backed by a rigorous legislative framework. We will maintain these high standards once the UK leaves the EU. When we leave the EU, we will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of exit. Leaving the EU does not change the Government’s commitment to ensuring that our food remains safe and what it says it is.

Department for International Trade

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

lord roberts of llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to(1)revoke all existing, and (2) ban future, export licences for the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia.

the earl of courtown: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 09 September 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Court order of 20 June 2019 remitted the decision to grant export licences for the sale or transfer of arms and military equipment to Saudi Arabia for possible use in the conflict in Yemen to my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade to re-take on the correct legal basis. The order did not require the Secretary of State to suspend existing licences. As a matter of priority, and without prejudice to our appeal against the 20 June judgment, we are considering the implications of the judgment for decision-making. Amending our decision-making process in line with the judgment does not necessarily mean that decisions would be different. On 20 June, the then Secretary of State, set out in a statement to Parliament that until we retake our licensing decisions in line with the judgment we will not grant any new licences for exports to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners that might be used in the conflict in Yemen. However, you will be aware of the Secretary of State’s statement to Parliament of 26 September, in which she set out information on inadvertent breaches of the Undertaking given to the Court of Appeal by the then Secretary of State in the Order of the Court dated 20 June 2019 and licences that were granted contrary to the wider commitment to Parliament, made in a statement that same day. The Secretary of State has apologised unreservedly for these errors, both to the Court and Parliament.

the earl of courtown: It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.The Court order of 20 June 2019 remitted the decision to grant export licences for the sale or transfer of arms and military equipment to Saudi Arabia for possible use in the conflict in Yemen to my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade to re-take on the correct legal basis. The order did not require the Secretary of State to suspend existing licences. As a matter of priority, and without prejudice to our appeal against the 20 June judgment, we are considering the implications of the judgment for decision-making. Amending our decision-making process in line with the judgment does not necessarily mean that decisions would be different. On 20 June, the then Secretary of State, set out in a statement to Parliament that until we retake our licensing decisions in line with the judgment we will not grant any new licences for exports to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners that might be used in the conflict in Yemen. However, you will be aware of the Secretary of State’s statement to Parliament of 26 September, in which she set out information on inadvertent breaches of the Undertaking given to the Court of Appeal by the then Secretary of State in the Order of the Court dated 20 June 2019 and licences that were granted contrary to the wider commitment to Parliament, made in a statement that same day. The Secretary of State has apologised unreservedly for these errors, both to the Court and Parliament.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Television: Licensing

lord bourne of aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in guaranteeing free TV licences for over-75s.

baroness barran: In the 2015 licence fee funding settlement, the government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the over 75s TV licence fee concession would transfer to the BBC in June 2020. This reform was then debated extensively and agreed to by Parliament during the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017. This legislation provides that the future of the concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the government. The government remains disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the concession to only those aged over 75 in receipt of Pension Credit. My colleague the Secretary of State for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport recently met with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director-General of the BBC and asked them to do more to help those affected by its decision. Discussions continue between government officials and the BBC.

Women and Equalities

Private Rented Housing: Social Security Benefits

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken research on the equalities impact of potential discrimination by lettings agents which exclusively prevents applications for private lettings from people who are in receipt of benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government has not undertaken research into this issue. We are however clear that landlords and agents should look at all potential and existing tenants claiming housing benefit on an individual basis, regardless of whether or not they are in receipt of benefits. The How to Let and How to Rent guides help landlords, agents and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities. Any tenant or prospective tenant who believes they may have been unlawfully discriminated against should contact the Equality Advisory Support Service on 0808 800 0082 (text phone 0808 800 0084).